the Noble Savage

Aegis · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 07:42 PM

Aenarion stood along the ramparts of the tower, looking over the landscape before him. A few days ago, that landscape was clean, and beuatiful, but now, now it had been ravaged. Destroyed by a tidel wave of green skins. The horde had sat there for a day, like a dark black/green mass of death. Camp fires dotted the mass, and left trails of smoke climbing high into the air the brisk winter air. Aenarion sighed. The sight of an a goblinoid army was a terrible thing to behold, and one that he had wished he would never see. The Tower of Lothlerlian was being beseiged by Orcs. He knew that an attack was inevitable. He could hear the war cries, and battle songs of the beseigers from his vantage point. He leaned heavily on the ramparts, one hand on the cool stone that served as a defensive barrier to arrows, the other resting on his sword. He glanced to either side, and saw fellow elven troops, all as nervous as he was. They all had longbows slung across their shoulders, ready at a moments notice. Beside every two men was a large quiver of arrows, enough for about sixty shots each. Aenarion looked back out towards the swelling mass as more and more of the foul species moved inward to join the seige. The attack would come soon, of that the veteran elf commander held no doubt. He just wished to get it over with.

His thoughts were ripped from him as he heard a light footsteps of his second, and friend, Tethlis, approach. "Their ranks grow with each passing moment." He commented grimly to Tethlis, who merely nodded in agreement. "Blasted creatures. They are compltetly content to sit there and wait while we grow nervous and tired, waiting for their attack." Aenarion turned to face Tethlis. "They are not as primitive as we thought. They do have some shred of intelligence, one of warfare. we cannot deny that." Aenarion looked back out over the landscape, breathing in the cool air of winter. Tethlis stood beside him now.

"We have received word from our brothers to the east. They are sending help for us." Tethlis said, hoping to lighten his friends sour mood. Aenarion turned, and scowled, then turned back to the horde.

"They will not reach us in time. They are more then a tenday's solid march away from us." He sighed again, and tore his gaze from the sight of the Orc army. "No. This is a battle we must fight, and win on our own." Aenarion turned to another elf on the battlements, a scout. "What are they numbered at?" He asked, his mind calculating some sort of defensive strategy.

"Approximetly three thousand goblinoid creatures. Possibly more on the way." The elf responded, the discipline keeping him calm, though he was as nervous as the rest.

Aenarion nodded. "Very well. Keep the watch doubled. I will be inside. At the first sign of attack, notify me, and begin the defense of the tower."

"Aye sir."

Aenarion nodded, to both the scout and to Tethlis, and turned to enter the tower, returning to the warmth and safety, possibly the last he would have for a time to come...

*****

C Elegans · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 08:46 PM

Aegis Rousseau? Nice story - is it going to continue?

Aegis · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 09:01 PM

The first arrow came soaring over the battlements of the tower as the next morning broke. The sun was just creeping over the eastern horizon as the Orcish horde began they're charge towards the Tower Lothlerian. The elves, having kept stern vigil throughout the night, was preppared for the attack. Their discipline keeping them from submitting to the fatigue they all felt. As the archers defending the tower returned fire, and the sky darkened from the hundreds of arrows being loosed, both sides began to fill the pinch. Aenarion came rushing out onto the battlements, the sword of Hoeth in hand. He ran straight to the edge of the battlements were Tethlis already stood, barking orders to the elves firing from the tower. The horde was still a far distance from melee, but they surged forth like that of an incoming tide. Aenarion looked to Tethlis, then back to the horde. His keen elven eyes then caught the glimpse of the crude Orcish war machine being wheeled up closer to the tower, behind the tide of goblinoids. A catapult. He grabbed the edge of the battlements, and shouted out for the other elves to do the same. he grabbed it just in time as a large stone boulder came crashing into the tower, no more than twenty feet from the commander himself. the force of the rock made the tower shudder, and threw a few of the elven defenders from their vantage point, hurtling towards the ground. Before another was launched, Aenarion turned to Tethlis, a weird gleam in his eye, and a crooked smile.

"Send word to our forces on the lower levels. I will lead them into the field of battle myself." Aenarion turned for the door, and the stairs that would take him to the armoury. Tethlis began to stutter something but stopped mid way, instead offering his hand in friendship and good luck to his friend. Aenarion stopped, and returned the grasp before disappearing into the tower, and the lower levels.

Tethlis turned back to the edge of the battlements, grabbing hold in time for another boulder to shake the tower, and send some more of the elven defenders over the edge. "Thats right!" He called to the defenders. "Keep those arrows flying!"

*****

Aenarion entered the armoury, and quickly gathered his personal armour. He threw a suit of fine elven chainmail over across his torso, and wrapped a cloak over his shoulders. He grasped the Sword of hoeth tightly, and charged down the stairs, and into the main chamber that would lead to the outside of the tower. Before him stood a force of seven hundred elven warriors, all of which were skilled with a sword, adn well versed in the ways of war. He marched to the front of the force, and stood to face them. He surveyed them for a breif moment before raising his sword high into the air. It was met with a cheer the seemed to shake the foundations of the tower itself. Aenarion turned to the gates, and signeled to the gatemen to raise them. As the doors cracked open, the bright light of day surged into the room, encompassing everything, and blinding them elven war host breifly. When the doors were opened fully, the full might of the orcish horde could be seen charging towards the tower, the gruesome sight of the beasts, though intimidating to that of a human, or halfing, did little to cause disent among the ranks of a the war host. Aenarion led the charge, running a full ten paces ahead of the other elven warriors. He seemed to shine, like the tip of spear shines. His sword raised high in the air, and look of grim determination set on his face.

From the battlements above, Tethlis watched as his friend and commander led the charge. Tethlis admired Aenarion. The elven commander held a bravery that Tethlis could never hope to have, and seemed to command respect from every one he met with. Tethlis knew that with Aenarion leading this battle, the elven war host would make the orcs pay for their fool hardy assualt of the Lothlerlian.

Aenarion ran, sword shining in the morning sun. behind him, the sound of seven hundred armed elven warriors thundered. Before him, three thousand Orcish savages surged. Aenarion watched as multiple orcs fell to the stinging bite of arrows from the towers. The orcs seemed not to care, to enraged with a primeal bloodlust. He was close enough to hear the war cries of the orcs, and see the primitive standerds they carried. He deduced that this was more than one tribe, and was in fact several tribes joined together. He didn't care why. They were a blight to the land, and a threat to the Lothlerlian. Aenarion would defeat them. Suddenly, the hail of arrows stopped, and the two war hosts clashed in the field. The green tide being swelled by a silver bolt of elven warriors, Aenarion at the lead. The archers could do little but watch, and fire towards the back of the lines, hoping they would not misjudge a shot. Aenarion cut a bloody swath of orcish blood as he fought through the tide of orc and goblin, his sword raising high in the air, and cutting down in a vicious, deadly swipe. Each attack felling another of the green death. Even in the midst of the chaos of battle, Aenarion shone like a beacon of light, none of the orcs seeming like they were able to touch the mighty commander.

Something filled Aenarion, a rage, a haterd for the goblin kind. Each attack was made with more and more ferocity. He eventually cut his way through the thick tide of Orcs, coming face to face with a gruesome beast, standing two full feet taller then the short elven warrior. He found one of the Orc War Bosses. The massive Orc, standing a towering seven feet high, wielding a large fierce axe in one hand, and a huge wooden club in the other. The war boss swung the axe with tremendous power, attempting to cleave the lilth elven warrior in two. Aenarion dodged back, cleanly avoiding the axe attack, and the following swing of the club. He reprised with a powerful lunging motion, the sword of Hoeth leading the way. As the two fought, a wide birth became apparent, the other combatents clearly giving them space, while continueing to fight their own battles. To either side, both elf and orc fell, three orcs for every elven warrior, if not more. Aenarion lunged again, but felt the powerful counter from the orc knock his blade away. He set his feet, and regained control of the chaotic blade, and then reprised with a swift attack to the orcs midsection. The lumbering orc, too dumb to realize it, allowed his gut to be cut open, and his entrails spill out over the field. Soemthing inside of Aenarion urged him forward. The elf leapt onto the orc war boss, who was slowly dieing, and continued to hack at the fallen form, not stopping to notice the horde falling back. He brought his sword down hard on the orcs neck, decapitating it, and was about to continue to dismember the corpse, if it weren't for the resounding cheer that raised up around him, ripping him from the own bloodlust.

He shook his head, working out of a daze. He looked around, the troops under his command, almost half the size it was before charging the field, were standing, watching as the horde fled back to their camps. Archers from the towers continued to whittle down the forces, and the rain of the catapults seemed to stop. Aenarion knew this was not the end, and more would come. He knew it. He felt it in his blood. He knelt over, and picked up the war bosses thick, oily hair in his gloved hand, and held it high int he air, giving a mighty cry of triumph. He turned on his heel, and marched back inside the tower, his war host escorting him. Once inside, the doors closed, blocking the light, and sght of the horde. He stuck a spear through the base of the orc's skull, and placed it on one of the lower battlements. A warning of what would happen to them when they next charged...

Aegis · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 09:51 PM

Aenarion and the beleagured war host were met with a resounding cheer, and cries of triumph as they climbed the tower, and entered the main fest hall. The fest hall was a room big enough to house the entire population of the tower, all two thousand elves. From the main doors to the hall, Aenarion led the remaing troops in, and down the aisle of elven people, maidens, children, and warriors alike lining the sides. Aenarion's armour was thick with the blood of orcs, as was the armour of every other elf that had been on the field. Each one wore a mask of pride, and walk with an aire of dignity, even though comrades of theirs had fallen this day. At the very back of the hall, Tethlis stood, awaiting his commander and friend with open arms. Aenarion smiled, and embraced his friend, before turning to address the crowd.

"Today, we have fought back the tide of darkness, and won another day of peace. The battle is won, but the war is far from over. We merely delayed the inevitable." This proclaimation brought mixed murmers from the crowd, some confused as how to respond. "We, the elven people of the Lothlerlian, are strong, though. When faced with the maws of Orcs and goblins, we held our ground, and we stayed true to our rights to be here. We will win out in the war. The Horde will not have their way. No, we are stronger, and more resilent then they are. They have the numbers, we have the will." He raised his sword high in the air, and another cry rose up in the room, raising the roof. The crowd broke into celebration, women finding their loved ones among the beleagured forces, children finding their parents, and friends embracing friends. Aenarion turned back to Tethlis. "Old friend, I would like to speak with you in private." Aenarion's mood turned sombre almost immediatly, as did Tethlis'. The two left the Fest hall, and made their way to the war room, which was deserted due to the celebrations. Aenarion stood by the table, a large map rolled across the wooden surface. It mapped the surroundings of the Tower of the Lothlerlian, and the emplacments of the Orcish hordes.

"We sustained heavy loses this day, Tethlis." Aenarion began somberly. He was leaning heavily on the table, not from fatigue, but from sorrow. "Many good warriors, and friends died. they died by the hands the vile orcs." He spun to face Tethlis, his hands clenched in anger. "Why do they persist! We have played this game many times before, but never on this magnitude. I fear. Fear for the safety of the Lothlerlian, and for the safety of my people." He unclenched his fist, and seemed to relax a bit. Tethlis approached, and stood next to his friend.

"We have seen much bloodshed in our three hundred years. I doubt it is going to end soon." He placed a reassuring hand on Aenarion's shoulder, and stood next to him. "We have been in this Tower for half of those years, and defended it for as many. We will fight for it, even if it means our death." He offered a smile at the show of loyalty towards his commander, his friend, and his home, but Aenarion only shrugged.

"I don't know if that will be enough this time, Tethlis." he turned to his friend, his eyes full of sorrow, and angst. "I was out there, and saw something I never thought possible." Tethlis was taken aback. He had always thought of Aenarion knowing everything, and this sudden revelation shocked him. He heard true fear in his words, and for the first time, knew Aenarion to be mortal. "The Orcish tribes have united. They all seem to flock towards each other and the towards the tower. It is a combined force that I don't think we can hold out against!" He stood upright, and paced the room. The room was deathly silent, only the sound of Aenarion's bootfalls could be heard. Tethlis worried now. I have the complete confidence in the abilities of these troopes that defend the tower, but they are young! They are children compared to us! Children, most of which have not even lived a third of the time we have!" He stopped, and turned to Tethlis, hoping for some reassurence from his friend.

"the tower has stood for five hundred years, and will stand for another five hundred, friend." If we can hold out for a tenday-" Tethlis was cut off, interupted by Aenarion in a violent outburst.

"We won't even last half that time!" He shouted, his anger showing. "That horde outnumbered us at least three to one when we met on the field this day. Now, after our casualties, they outnumber us four to one, even with the damage we caused. To add to that, our forces are tired. The instince of survival, and defending our home can only empower us for so long, while the Orcs have no such drive, they have numbers! Within a day, tehir numbers will have swelled to that of an insurmountable force! We cannot hope to last until reinforcments arrive!"

Tethlis was silent. He had never seen Aenarion fear something, especially not an Orc army. In their time together, Tethlis had seen Aenarion defeat insurmountable odds before, even be visited by the gods! This was not the man he saw now though. this man was firghtend and tired. There seemed to be some inner turmoil Aenarian was fighting, something Tethlis could not help him with. He watched Aenarion pace the room, frustration running through him. Tethlis slinetly left his friend to his thoughts, knowing that nothing he would say could help his firend right now. What he needed was time. He just hoped the reinforments would arrive ahead of schedule...

Aegis · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 11:04 PM

Tethlis returned to what had become his home over the time he spent living in the tower. It was on the upper levels, on the same floor as many of the other elf nobles and commanders that resided there. He entered the dwelling, a somber look still encrusted on his face, and was greeted by his family, who had come from the festivities shortly before Tethlis arrived. The sight of his two young children and wife seemed to lighten his mood somewhat, but the aire of concern remained with him, and he shouldered it alone. His wife, Seleresh, approached him, and lovingly draped her arms around him, embracing him tightly, and kissing him gently on the cheek.

"Welcome home, my love." she whispered softly in his ear. Tethlis smiled weakly, and returned the kiss. She then noticed the look on his face, and knew it to be trouble immedieatly. She sent the children to thier rooms, and turned to face her husband, concerned about him. "What is it? Did Aenarion inform you of something?"

tethlis was silent for a moment, scratching his chin, searching for the way to tell her of his own fears and concerns. "Not something he told me." He started, removing his armour, and unbuckling his sword from his hip, placing both a rack near the door. "Rather, something I saw in him. He showed fear when we spoke. That is something that worries me. I have never seen a braver, more valiant warrior then Aenarion." He sat down in one of the plush chairs in the common room. His wife walked over to him, and sat down in the chair next to him. "He is fearful that we may not survive the week."

Seleresh's head reared back, surprised at how open the admission of defeat was, something she hadnever expected from a elf as great as Aenarion. She shook her head, and placed a hand on Tethlis' shoulder, comforting him as best she could. The two sat there as time passed by. Neither moving, both in silent reverie of the days events, and what had been said.

*****

"Dos' 'Umies think dat dey beat us so easily! We show dem!" the giant Orc cehiftan bellowed, his voice carrying in the large tent that served as what could only be called a war room. He was in there six other Orcs, all leaders of their own tribes. Behind them, groups of squirming, whimpering goblins huddled, hoping that they would be called on for some important task, or ignored fully. "Dey think that by killin' Ghaszak dat we gives up..." This coment was followed by several grunts from the other war bosses. "Wells, we's show dem! We's attack dem again! And in bigger numbers! We's gonna send for Kit-cusher! He gonna fix dem up real good..." the Cheiftan rubbed his hands gleefully, and pointed to one of the goblins who hurriedly scurried up tot he cheiftan. The Orc gave the goblin a piece of dear hide, on it was crude form of a letter, writtin in some green liquid. To any intelligent creature, it would be no more then nonsense, but to those who were small of mind, it made perfect sense. The goblin ran off, giggling gleefully, off to fetch Kit-cusher and his clan...

Aegis · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 02:08 PM

The day was coming to a close as Aenarion finally walked into his room. Inside, he had no family, no company. It was as barren the the lands the Orcs came from. On the upper levels of the tower, he could see out over the fields before it. He watched as tiny yellow lights began to appear in the surging tide of Orc and goblin. Their voices seemed to carry, and he could heard more cries of battle, and curses of venegance towards the leader of the Lothlerlian, Aenarion. He sighed, and hung his head. He was tired. Tired of the conflict, tired of it all. He turned from the window, and plumped down into a chair, not even bothering to remove the blood stained armour. He rested his head back, allowing his body one more of relaxation, and he closed his eyes.

He was on the field again. The sounds of battle surrounded him, and the clash of weapons and the cries of his comrades flooded into his ears. He was standing before the same Orc Warr Boss he had earlier, this time though, it seemed larger, and more imposing. Aenarion charged forward, reinacting the battle. He lunged forward, swing his mighty sword, dodging the combined attacks of both club and axe. The event played out exactly as it had earlier, save for one instance. When Aenarion went to slash out the entrails of the Orc Warr Boss, his blade was met by the edge of the axe. The metal shreiked in protest, but the sound ended quickly as the axe shattered the enchanted sword. Aenarion flung his body to the side, and to the ground, narrowly avoiding the bludgeon coming for his head. He landed in the mud of the field, and looked up to the orc who was looming over top of him. Aenarion rolled to the side, again being missed by the clumsy attacks. His hair and clothing was becoming weighed down by the mud, and he felt himself slowing. He scrambled backwards, but the War Boss pressed on, continuing it's attack. As Aenarion began to lift his hand to pull himself up, he felt it resist. He panicked, and looked to his wrist. Something was holding his hand down. He looked back to the Orc over head. It had won. It swung it's axe in a vicious swipe, digging deep into the elf's chest. It didn't stop there, though. Aenarion could see his body now. He watched helplessly as the Orc War Boss continued to dismember it, ravage it. Piece by piece was hacked off. When t was finished with the body, it pucked up Aenarion's head, and gave a great bellow. It was met by hundreds of Orcs lifting their weapons high into the air, cheering for victory. The corpses of elven warriors lay strewn all about. The Tower was in shambles, chunks of the ramparts gone, and holes knocked in it's base. the screams of women and children could be heard from inside as the Orcish horde surged through the tower. Not a single elven warrior was left alive.

Aenarion's eyes flared open. Beads of sweat rolled down his brow, and cheek. He was breathing heavily. His collar was soaked with his sweat, and his striking white hair was matted to the back of his head. He pushed himself out of the chair, and walked back to the window. It was darker now, close, if not passed, to midnight, He surveyed the camps of the horde, the cheers still ringing loudly in his ears. Green death, he thought to himself. He curled his hand into a fist, and slammed it hard onto the wooden rail that served as a banister. He was not going to let them take his tower. He was not going to let them destroy his life. He was going to defeat them...

*****

Just a note, feel free to comment in the thread about the story. I would like some feedback, as this is the first thing I've written on my own in a while.

Aegis · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 08:58 PM

Virrilis climbed onto the rocky cliff face, and looked over the land. He and the other elven warriors, a full compliment of five hundred battle hardened elves, sent to help the beseiged elves of the Lothlerlian had been marching for seven days straight, trying to reach the tower before it fell. The war host spent little time to rest, usually only in one or two hour increments, and were determined to make it there in another days march. They were already ahead of schedule, and making good time, as the weather had been favourable. The worst they had seen so was a light snowfall, that quickly turned into a chill rain, and that was five days ago. It was cold though, and the biting winds were relentless. Virrilis hugged his cloak tighter around him, and returned to the marching troops, that were passing him by on the trail beside the cliff face. The Court of the Seldarine only spared a hand full of their elite warriors, the Blade Singers, four to be exact, feeling that would be more than enough. Virrilis rejoined the other three at the front of the convoy. He tunred to each, an optimistic look in his eye.

"We may just make it in time," he said hopefully. "I saw trails of smoke leading into the sky to north. That means the Orcs are still there, and haven't won the battle yet."

"I hope you are correct, Virrilis." responded one of the other Blade Singers, a younger, more brash elven man by the name of Ka'lesh. Virrilis passed a glance his way, and disregarded the comment, and continued to press forward, the War Host marching ryhtmatically behind.

*****

The Orc hordes were strangly docile for many days, and Tethlis didn't like that. Something was a foot. He was standing on the battlements of the tower, the same location he and Aenarion had been standing the day the seige began, looking over the horde. Even more had come, swelling their ranks, back to their original numbers, and then some. Tethlis felt a pit in his stomach as he watched. He knew that three hundred, beleagered elven troops, and barely half that number of elven archers wouldn't be able to withstand an attack of that magnitude. Where were all these orcs coming from! Tethlis had never heard or seen of such a large gathering, and he was worried. He knew every last elf would fight to the last, and make the orcs earn every foot they gained, but he wondered if that would be enough. When he was about to turn back inside of the tower, some movement caught his eye. Something was joining the ranks of the creatures, but it wasn't another group of orcs. Suddenly he heard a loud, gut wrenching cry come from the horde, and a loud bellow that followed. He knew what had come. He turned, and ran inside, searching for Aenarion to tell him of the Giants coming.

C Elegans · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 09:09 PM

Again, nice story. I especially like the way you describe people's expressions and states of mind, like when the elven warriors have "a mask of pride" and when Tehlis "for the first time, knew Aenarion to be mortal". This type of indirect description IMO makes it much more interesting than a mere, flat telling what they feel.

I also liked the idea of expressing Aenarion's fear and doubts by letting him replay the earlier fight with a different perception (the orc looked much larger now) and a different end result.

Aegis · #9 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 11:01 PM

@CE: Thanks Luv. BTW, I'm doing better now.

*****

The time had come. The Horde was making another charge towards the tower. It seemed as if a tidel was of putrid green flesh was surging forwards, everything in it's path being consumed. The elven archers rained down a hail of arrows to the insurmountable force of Orcs, a stotic pride making their shafts fly true. all the defensives had been made, and preparations were done. Aenarion would again lead the forces of the Lothlerlian into the field, to meet the Orc threat. The elves were three hundred strong, but they were all veterans, and ready for battle. Aenarion, as always was at the tip of the charge. What little glimpses of the sun that shone through the cloud of arrows glinted magnificantly off of the elven commanders chain mail. The two forces clashed, and chaos ensued, with Aenarion at the tip. The elven war host drove deep into the lines of the horde, a bloody swath of death. Each elf fighting for his or her home, and each one valiantly giving their life. From the battlements, Tethlis commanded the elven archers, pointing out points that need support, and what to aim for. The catapults didn't come this time. Tethlis veiwed the battle from high atop the tower, using his own long bow to assist in raining death upon their hated enemy. His mind paced frantically, and his palms were sweaty, but he continued. If he were to die, he would take as many of the fould kind with him.

Aenarion's blade swung with intense ferocity, often cleaving two or three orcs with one swing. The once clam, stotic face of the commander was now twisted with rage and vengence, and each swung seemed to fuel that inner fire. He pressed forward, the rest of the war host behind him, engaged in their own battles. Aenarion stopped surging forth, moving against the tide of darkness, and held his ground. He began to hack all incoming orcs and goblins, cutting each down with a powerful slice of his blade. Around him, the bodies began to pile up, each one more foul smelling then the last, and each one more ravaged then the last. Atop the pile, Aenarion stood, still battering down upon the swelled ranks of orcs, his fatigue being stayed by the rage he felt within. He turned to face one of the orcs moving up the pile to face the elf, but stayed his hand as he watched three arrows bite into the form, and drop. A twisted smile came to his face as he turned, and drove his sword through the unsuspecting body of another orc, blood washing over his face. His bloodlust was unnatural, and almost insane. As the battle raged on, both elf and orc casualties climbed, every death of one the elven warriors costing the orcs tenfold. The savage and brutal fighting was like a mid summer storm, bent on destroying all those caught within. The Orcs began to feel hesitant about facing the shining Aenarion, fearing his wrath. The elf commander was destroying every Orc that came withen a foot of him, and the orcs were begining to veiw him as some venegeful god. The surge didn't stop though. The loud war cires continued to echo through the fields of battle, and the clash of steel rung in his ears.

Atop the pile, Aenarion stood like a beacon, igniting some flame within the remaining warriors, renewing their sense of pride and hope. Aenarion made killing blow after killing blow. As he was about to run another orc through, something shook his footing loose. He set it, and turned to face what had done it. The sounds of battle seemed to cease, almost altogether, and the ground shook with a tremdous roar of fury. Aenarion jumped back, off the pile of dead orcs and goblins, where he was joined by the remaining forces of his war host. Before them stood six Mountain Giants. Kit-cusher's tribe. Kit-cusher raised his massive club, which was no more than an oak tree, and gave another bellow. The orcs and goblins seemed to back off from the six giants, and elven war host, not wanting to get caught beneathe one of the gargantuan beasts foot. Aenarion stood with his war band, less then one hundred now, and was prepared to face this challenge. He raised his sword in defiance, as did the ramainder of the war host, and charged the six giants. The elfs swarmed the giants, dodging the lumbering attacks made, and poking their meager weapons into the skin of the creatures. Aenarion charged Kit-cusher himself, jumping from side to side, avoiding the massive oak where others didn't. Beside him, elves would drop under the tremendous weight and force. When Aenarion was close enough, he leapt forward, the Sword of Hoeth poised to strike deep into the giants stomach. Kit-cusher, though, was faster. With a deft movement, faster then most giants could muster, Kit-cusher snatched Aenarion in mid air, and lifted the small elf high into the air. Aenarion swung his sword with intense ferocity, biting into the hand of the mosnter, trying to loosen the hold. Kit-cusher laughed, and the orc army cheered. The elven war host was fighting hard with the other giants, three of which had been felled, and was now being swarmed by the remaining elves. Aenarion saw none of this, nor did Kit-cusher or the orcs. The focus was completly on the elven commander.

Aenarions muscles suddenly went slack, and for a moment, seemed as if the elf had given up. Kit-cushed laughed again, and was about to take a bite out of the elf. Kit-cusher stopped though, and his eyes went wide when he looked at the face of the elven commander. Aenarion's face had twisted into a terrifying look of anger, vengence, and rage, all semblence to the lef he was a moment ago gone. His attacks became renewed, with more intense fury, the sword of Hoeth digging in deep into the giants hand. Kit-cusher squealed, and dropped the elf to the ground. Aenarion, landing gently on his feet, leapt forth, and drove the sword deep into the giants gut, twisting the blade as he did so. Kit-cusher doubled over in pain, and Aenarion struck again, this time thrusting the blade into the giants neck. Aenarion was then covered in blood as it poured from the giants neck. He withdrew his blade, and leapt back as the giant came crashing to the ground. Kit-cusher and his clan had been utterly killed, and the elven war host was surrounded. The circle tightend, and the elves stood back to back, each offering a prayer to Corellon to bring them swift death in battle. The onlookers from the tower, now more than just the archers, watched in horror, and knew what was to come next in this battle.

Aegis · #10 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 11:50 PM

As the tide of orcs pressed forward, Aenarion and his war host were about to charge in, and die fighting. As Aenarion raised his blade, about to singal the counter charge, the sky blackened, and a large bolt of lightening struck a group of the orcs, flinging the bodies like rag dolls. Aenaraion snapped his neck to the edge of the fields, just where the mountainous trails began. Standing there stood their reinforments, the four Blade Singers at the front, three of which had their hands twisting symbols and casting magic. The War host charged forth, the fresh elven troops, led by Virrilis, meeting the Orcs from behind, and cutting a bloody swath through them. The elves caught in the centre took the oppertunity, and attacked as well, cutting down many of the confused before they could react to the turn of events. When the horde finally did realize what happened, they closed in, and tightend their hold on the remaining elves of the Lothlerlian, but noen would accept death. With the fresh troops fighitng on one end of the battle, and the stalwart defenders fighting from the inside, the orcs were cut down viciously, Aenarion calling out to his brethern, urging them forth. When the two war hosts met in the centre, they began to fight through the orcs, battering them down, and stopping any hope of an orcish victory. When clearing the tide of darkness, Aenarion held back a moment. The orcs were fleeing, having suffered a horrible defeat. The few stragelers that were left, Aenarion savagely attacked, chasing them down, and brutally murdering them.

Only when the last orc either had fled the field, or lay dead, did Aenarion stop. His shoulders were heaving, and his breath was heavy. His body ached from the battle, but he held himself with dignity, and pride kept him upright. A man from behind placed a hand on his shoulder. Aenarion snapped, and spun, and was about to attack the man, thinking it was another orc. he held his attack, stopping it just in time, when he saw the face of Virrilis. Aenarion's own face was locked into a twisted image, a mockery of the former one the elf commander held before entering the battle. Seeing the Blade Singer in front of him, he calmed, and sheathed his sword. The fatigue then claimed him, and he fell into the waiting arms fo the Blade Singer, and was carried inside to rest.

*****

C Elegans · #11 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 12:10 AM

Good to hear you are doing better

I'll change colour in my comment posts to minimise the disturbance of the flow in your story.

Good tension build-up there just before the battle - the introduction of the reinforcements troops' doings and perspective as a parallell story, increases the tension here, I think, and enhances the effect of Tethlis horrible discovery of the Giants in the next parahraph. Also, the more idyllic and optimistic atmosphere in the reinforcement paragraph, makes a good contrast to the horrors of the battle that follows.

fable · #12 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 12:38 AM

Nicely done, @Aegis. I don't want to interfere with your storytelling, but I'm enjoying it immensely. Let me offer only one small suggestion: use time elastically. When you're in battle, and you want to really get the reader involved, break up a conflict a bit by describing the thoughts of a particular character. Spend more time describing a feature of a scene. Show a small bit of detail in one place or another, etc.

That's it, for me. Please do continue!

GandalfgalTTV · #13 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 07:22 AM

Damn nice story, great writing. It really comes to life, great job Aegis.

Aegis · #14 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 11:08 AM

Aenarion awoke with a start, his breath heavy. He was back inside of the tower, and in his own bed. His body was still aching, and tired, but his pride would not let him fall back into a slumber. He pushed himself to a sitting position, and leaned back in the bed. As he was about to pull himself out of bed, a gentle hand stopped ihm. He looked to the owner, and saw the welcome face of Tethlis. Aenarion laid back, and sighed.

"The Horde?" asked Aenarion weakly, even in histired state, he didn't let his voice waver. "Are they gone?" Tethlis shook his head, and dabbed a wet cloth to Aenarion's body, below his ribs. Aenarion looked at what he was dabbing. what he saw took him a moment to register. In the turmoil of the fight, he had been wounded. the blood was now dry, and the wound already healing under the effects of one of the many potent herbs in the tower. "What do their numbers look like now?" he inquired.

"Not promising." Said a voice off to the side. In the frame of the door, the Blade Singer Virrilis walked in, his hands resting on a pair of twin scimitars on his hip. "We managed to thin the horde somewhat with our initial appearance, but these orcs are unlike any I have seen." The Blade Singer stopped next to the elven commander's bed. Virrilis grinned at Aenarion's confused look of recognition. "I am Virrilis, Blade Singer of the Seldarine. I have led your reinforcements here. I was acompanied by three other Blade Singers, and five hundred strong." He stopped for a moment, allowing the wounded Aenarion take in the information. He continued once Aenarion urged him on. "Unfortuneatly, we lost a fifth of our troops when we fought are way through the horde, and one of my fellow Blades was wounded, much like you are now."

Aenarion pushed himself up again, ignoring the staying hand of Tethlis, and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He stood a little too swiftly, and realed slightly as the blood came rushing to his head. He steadied himself on the wall before moving on to dress himself. "Then we attack them this night." He said, his voice becoming strong, defiant. "I will lead a war host to attack the horde this night, and end it. Whether it be with our deaths, or theirs, it will end tonight."

Tethlis shot up like a bolt. "Are you mad!" His voice was shaking with anger. "They outnumber us three to one, and many of our forces are wounded and tired. You cannot hope to defeat such odds now!" He took a step forward, and grabbed his friend by the shoulder, spinning. When he saw Aenarion's face, he saw the same twisted look of anger that Virrilis had seen earlier that day on the field of battle. Tethlis took a step back. The sight of his friend's one calm and controled face startled him.

"I am not going to allow this to continue." Aenarion hissed, his voice become like a rasp. "We have been in this siege for nearly a tenday, and it is enough!" He shook himself free of Tethlis' grip, and slid his chain mail over his body, and buclked his sword to his hip. He stalked towards the door, stopping before exiting the room. "Make the prepartions. I want a war host of three hundred, and I want you to be a part of it, old friend. I will meet with you about the details in two hours." Aenarion then left the room, dissappearing into the halls of the tower of the Lothlerlian, leaving a confused Tethlis and Virrilis behind.

Aegis · #15 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 05:09 AM

"That was Aenarion?" Virrilis said, more of a statemenet then a question, to Tethlis. Tethlis only nodded. Something inside his friend was changing, he was different. "When I was told of this mission," Virrilis began, "I was told to seek out the man who commanded the respec of both peer and enemy. They said he was like a sparkle of light in the thick of a darkness." Virrilis walked beside Tethlis, his hands still resting comfortabling on the twin weapons at his hip. "He didn't seem like a shred of light." He turned to look at Tethlis. "I would keep an eye on your friend, for both your sakes." Virrilis left the room, leaving Tethlis to think about those last words. It was deathly quiet inside the room, and Tethlis stood, his mind swimming, trying to comprehend what events just went on. This was not the Aenarion he knew, going off on some fool mission, one that he knew would case his death! What was he trying to do? Tethlis didn't know. His friend had always been a complicated person, and this seemed to make it even more complex. Tethlis had always been able to seek advice and council from Aenarion when he was lost. This time, though, he was left on his own, and in the midst of wolves. He didn't know what to do.

*****

Throughout the tower, tales were already spreading of Aenarion's prowess during the battle. Twice had he gone into the field, and twice had slewn many orc numbers. His feats were legend among the elves of the Lothlerlian, each had their own shining image of what the magnificant Aenarion looked upon the field of battle, the Sword of Hoeth poised about his head, and the mound of dead orcs and goblins at his feet. When word of the him slaying a giant on his own spread, it fueled the already raging image of the mighty Aenarion, kindling the imaginations of the younger elven children, and the pride the elven warriors who served under him. Everyone veiwed him as if he were some sort of god. A man who's will could bend the very nature of fate, and a man who stood in defiance to those that had scripted the Lothlerlian's downfall. He was a legend among his people. This was all the reinforcments heard about the mighty Aenarion as they garrisoned the tower. The tales of his slaying the giant before their coming, and how he brought swift death to the orcish kind. He each one of the soildiers becoming infatuated with the notion of meeting Aenarion, of meeting this so-called demi-god. It was was power of Aenarion. He commanded respect. He was like gravity, pulling others to him, close to him. He was Aenarion, leader of the Lothlerlian.